A PROTOCOL STUDY FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF CHEMICALLY-ASSISTED PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT IN FOUR DOMAINS

2020 ◽  
pp. 333-346
Keyword(s):  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Recent Trend ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Goal Systems ◽  
Theory Of Triadic Influence ◽  
Protocol Study

Chemically-assisted performance enhancement (CAPE), which involves the use of substances in order to prevent illness or improve performance and appearance, is a recent trend of our society. CAPE has been extensively investigated in competitive sports, however, there is only limited evidence with respect to other life domains such as work and study. The objective of the present paper is to describe the protocol of a study that will address the above-mentioned gaps in the literature. The study involves a longitudinal evaluation of predictive factors derived from the Theory of Triadic Influence and Goal Systems Theory. The study aims to: a) propose a sound and comprehensive theoretical model that will include the commonalities of the manifestation of CAPE behaviours across different settings and b) highlight the conceptual differences that are necessary to be taken into account for tailor-made intervention in these settings. The study is expected to assist in the development of a comprehensive understanding of performance enhancement behaviours across different life domains. The longitudinal design of the study and the breadth of the measured variables are considered as an asset that will contribute to understanding commonalities and conceptual differences in performance enhancement behaviours across different life domains and provide the evidence base for tailor-made intervention in these domains.

scholarly journals Sports Foods and Dietary Supplements for Optimal Function and Performance Enhancement in Track-and-Field Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Peeling ◽  
Linda M. Castell ◽  
Wim Derave ◽  
Olivier de Hon ◽  
Louise M. Burke
Keyword(s):  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Track And Field ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
Repeated Use ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Health Function ◽  
Specific Scenario

Athletes are exposed to numerous nutritional products, attractively marketed with claims of optimizing health, function, and performance. However, there is limited evidence to support many of these claims, and the efficacy and safety of many products is questionable. The variety of nutritional aids considered for use by track-and-field athletes includes sports foods, performance supplements, and therapeutic nutritional aids. Support for sports foods and five evidence-based performance supplements (caffeine, creatine, nitrate/beetroot juice, β-alanine, and bicarbonate) varies according to the event, the specific scenario of use, and the individual athlete’s goals and responsiveness. Specific challenges include developing protocols to manage repeated use of performance supplements in multievent or heat-final competitions or the interaction between several products which are used concurrently. Potential disadvantages of supplement use include expense, false expectancy, and the risk of ingesting banned substances sometimes present as contaminants. However, a pragmatic approach to the decision-making process for supplement use is recommended. The authors conclude that it is pertinent for sports foods and nutritional supplements to be considered only where a strong evidence base supports their use as safe, legal, and effective and that such supplements are trialed thoroughly by the individual before committing to use in a competition setting.

Human Performance Optimization

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Desirable Outcome ◽  
Near Future

Advances in cognitive neuroscience, engineering, and related fields suggest new ways of optimizing human performance. Especially for organizations that operate in high-stakes, high-stress, and competitive settings, helping individual workers and teams improve and sustain performance represents a desirable outcome. Moreover, to the extent that strategies to improve performance allow individuals to grow and flourish, enhancing performance is also a desirable outcome for workers. This volume addresses state-of-the-art scientifically grounded approaches to optimizing human performance. Collectively, the topics addressed integrate performance optimization strategies across several disciplines that speak to performance enhancement. A common theme is the need to include ethical considerations in any decision to implement human performance optimization strategies. The book concludes with a summary and synthesis of currently attainable approaches to performance enhancement and approaches that may emerge in the near future based on further research and development.

scholarly journals A Protocol Study to Establish Psychological Outcomes From the Use of Wearables for Health and Fitness Monitoring

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frans Folkvord ◽  
Amy van Breugel ◽  
Sanneke de Haan ◽  
Marcella de Wolf ◽  
Marjolein de Boer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Activity Monitoring ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Psychological Outcome ◽  
Subject Design ◽  
Technological Tools ◽  
Protocol Study

Background: The last few decades people have increasingly started to use technological tools for health and activity monitoring, such as tracking apps and wearables. The main assumption is that these tools are effective in reinforcing self-empowerment because they support better-informed lifestyle decision-making. However, experimental research assessing the effectiveness of the technological tools on such psychological outcomes is limited.Methods and Design: Three studies will be conducted. First, we will perform a systematic review to examine the experimental evidence on the effects of self-tracking apps on psychological outcome measurements. Second, we will conduct a longitudinal field experiment with a between subject design. Participants (N = 150) begin a 50-day exercise program, either with or without the aid of the self-tracking app Strava. Among those who use Strava, we vary between those who use all features and those who use a limited set of features. Participants complete questionnaires at baseline, at 10, 25, and 50 days, and provide details on what information has been tracked via the platform. Third, a subset of participants is interviewed to acquire additional qualitative data. The study will provide a rich set of data, enabling triangulation, and contextualization of the findings.Discussion: People increasingly engage in self-tracking whereby they use technological tools for health and activity monitoring, although the effects are still unknown. Considering the mixed results of the existing evidence, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions, showing more research is needed to develop a comprehensive understanding.Trial registration: Netherlands Trial registration: NL9402, received on 20 April 2021; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/9402.

scholarly journals Bioethics of military performance enhancement

2019 ◽  
Vol 165 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-231
Author(s):  
Maxwell Mehlman
Keyword(s):  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Carryover Effects ◽  
Military Performance ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Military ◽  
Do So

Biological interventions to improve performance, such as amphetamines, have a long history of military use, and in the future may include more advanced biotechnologies. This article discusses the ethics of using biomedical enhancements in the military. The article begins by describing the distinction between biomedical enhancements and interventions intended to prevent, treat or mitigate disease. It then sets forth three principles to guide the ethical use of bioenhancements—proportionality, paternalism and fairness. The article applies these principles to concerns raised by military bioenhancement: safety, fairness in access to military reward, carryover effects to civilian life, whether service members can be ordered to use bioenhancements and when they may be permitted to do so voluntarily.

MHI Approach to Upgrading Old Steam Turbines

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Minami ◽  
Nobuhiro Osaki ◽  
Yuji Akaishi ◽  
William Newsom
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Turbine Generator ◽  
Turbine Component ◽  
Performance Deterioration ◽  
Turbine Casing ◽  
And Performance

As a result of high operation hours, older power plants have been subject to function and performance deterioration. As a result, there is an increased need to upgrade steam turbine units to improve performance and increase output. By studying the two performance enhancement upgrade projects listed below, you will be introduced to the design, manufacture and on-site installation work for the modification of a turbine generator. Also discussed is Mitsubishi’s method of harmonizing the new equipment/components with the existing non-OEM steam turbine. Both projects began in late 2003 and were successfully completed in early 2004 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI). All delivery, installation and commissioning requirements were met and guaranteed performance was achieved for both units. • HP Turbine Component Upgrade – Pennsylvania, USA; • Modification of Turbine Casing – Korea.

scholarly journals Objective assessment of nap as a method to improve cognitive performance using a bio-mathematical model

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 43-50
Author(s):  
SS Mohapatra ◽  
D Ghosh ◽  
R Sarkar ◽  
K Anand
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Sleep Debt ◽  
Military Aviation ◽  
Optimal Efficiency ◽  
Scheduling Tool

Introduction: Strategic naps are considered as efficacious means of maintaining performance and reducing the individual’s sleep debt. It can reduce subjective feelings of fatigue and improve performance and alertness. However, literature is scant on assessment of naps and associated cognitive performance in the Indian military aviation scenario. This study is an attempt to assess the nap duration and its objective assessment on gain in performance, if any. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, sleep data were collected from 23 aviation personnel in a military flying base using actigraphy device. The actigraphic data were then fed into a software called fatigue avoidance scheduling tool. The nap duration and its effect on cognitive parameters were analyzed. Results: About 65.2% of the participant were found to be Day-Time Habitual Nappers. Of the 50 Naps logged by these participants, 11 (22%) naps were less than 30 min, 14 (28%) were between 30 and 60 min, 15 (30%) were between 60 and 120 min, and only 10 (20%) were above 120 min. Post-nap gain in the effectiveness and other cognitive parameters was found to be different in different cognitive domains. Conclusion: Naps more than 30 min had the optimal efficiency. The nap-induced gain in the task effectiveness and cognitive performance was confirmed. While the performance enhancement was significant for the naps more than 30 min, naps more than 60 min did not have any added advantages.

Equine training aids: can they really improve performance?

UK-Vet Equine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 196-200
Author(s):  
Jane Williams
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Development ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Ethical Approach ◽  
Training Aids ◽  
Gait Characteristics ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Horse Owners

The use of training aids within equine training programmes is well established with professional, amateur and recreational riders, and horse owners. However, the claims of training aid manufacturers that the aids promote equine muscle development, gait characteristics, proprioception and the horse's biomechanics have not been evaluated scientifically. Evidence of the impact of training aids on equine behaviour and welfare is also limited. As a result, there is a limited amount of resources available to horse owners, trainers and veterinary professionals wishing to take an evidence-informed approach to the use of training aids. This review considers factors that operators should evaluate when using training aids and explores the evidence base available to help support an ethical approach to equine training and rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Prospective Associations between Popularity, Victimization, and Aggression in Early Adolescence

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 2347-2357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah T. Malamut ◽  
Tana Luo ◽  
David Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Peer Victimization ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
High Status ◽  
Current Investigation ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Indirect Victimization ◽  
Bullying Interventions ◽  
Peer Reports

Abstract Recent research has highlighted an understudied phenomenon in the peer victimization literature thus far: the overlap between high status (i.e., popularity) and victimization. However, the research on this phenomenon has primarily been cross-sectional. The current investigation uses a longitudinal design to address two questions related to high-status victims. First, the present study examined prospective associations between popularity and two forms of indirect victimization (reputational victimization and exclusion). Second, this study examined elevated aggression as a consequence of high-status youth’s victimization (using self- and peer- reports of victimization). Participants were 370 adolescents (Mage = 14.44, range = 14.00–16.00; 56.5% girls) who were followed for 1 year. Both high and low levels of popularity were prospectively associated with reputational victimization. Moreover, popularity moderated the association between self-reported indirect victimization (but not peer-reported indirect victimization) and aggression. The results help build toward a more comprehensive understanding of both victimization and aggression in adolescence. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for a cycle of aggression in youth and the lowered effectiveness of bullying interventions in adolescence.

Generalization Effects in Coping Skills Training

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Stress Management ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Coping Skills Training ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Self Defense

An important consideration in coping skills training is the extent to which acquired skills generalize to other life domains. For example, sport-oriented performance enhancement skills are often regarded as “life skills” that can also facilitate adaptation in other areas of life. Moreover, task-specific increases in self-efficacy produced by coping skills training could generalize to broader self-referent cognitive domains and affect global personality traits such as self-esteem and locus of control. The concept of generalization is analyzed, and factors and procedures that influence the strength and breadth of generalization effects are discussed. Several coping skills studies that address generalization effects of stress management and self-defense training are described, and the author suggests that generalization assessment should be a focal rather than incidental consideration when evaluating coping skills interventions.

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